COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE WINS COMMUNICATOR CREATIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF VISUAL ARTS
Brand’s ‘On Location’ YouTube Channel Honored in Real Estate Website Category
The International Academy of the Visual Arts has named Coldwell Banker On Location, the brand’s YouTube channel, a recipient of this year’s Communicator Awards for Creative Excellence in the real estate website category. The category honors the best site for the sale or rental of residential or commercial property.
“We were the first national real estate brand to add streaming video to our website. Today, our agents across the globe have posted more than 15,000 videos to our On Location channel,” said Mike Fischer, chief marketing officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “The most exciting part of On Location is that we have only just begun – there’s a lot more to come.”
On Location has been rated among the top 10 most-viewed brand channels on YouTube. In April, just 11 months after launching On Location, Coldwell Banker announced it had received over 1 million views. The site was launched in May 2009 and was produced in collaboration with FD Kinesis.
“Home buyers would much rather see a home than only read about it,” Fischer said. “Our On Location videos empower them to get a feel for a home, a community or a real estate professional that they could not get from photos or a text description alone. Equally important are the home sellers who are now expecting video to be a part of marketing their property.”
With thousands of entries received from across the United States and around the world, the Communicator Awards is one of the largest and most competitive awards program honoring the creative excellence for communications professionals. The Communicator Awards are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from acclaimed media, advertising and marketing firms.
About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate. Coldwell Banker is the oldest national real estate brand in the United States and today has a network of more than 98,000 agents working in more than 3,600 offices in 50 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand to augment its web site www.coldwellbanker.com for smart phones, the first to create a iPhone application and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On LocationSM YouTube channel. The Coldwell Banker system is a leader in specialty markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® marketing program.
There are plenty of easy, low-cost alternatives to cranking up the air conditioners, which require a lot of energy to operate, which leads to more air pollution and more greenhouse gases being released into the environment. These solutions will help keep you cool, save a few bucks, and reduce your carbon footprint:
- Use fans to keep the air moving. Ceiling fans can lower the temperature in a room by as much as 7 degrees.
- Window coverings such as shades, drapes or blinds can reflect heat away from the house. Close them during the day on the sunny sides of the house.
- Heat sources inside: turn of lights, computers, etc. when you’re not using them. Don’t use a stove or oven to cook-grill outside. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs.
- Air-conditioning: if you use central air, program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule; set the temp higher when no one is around. Clean the filter regularly and change it when it’s dirty. Consider buying a new air conditioner that is an ENERGY STAR product.
- Plant trees: by planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your house you can reduce air conditioning costs by as much as 30% and still allow the sun to warm the house in the winter.
- Roofs: install a light colored, reflective roof if you have renovation plans or your roof is ready to be replaced.
- Windows: upgrade your windows to ENERGY STAR windows which will save costs in warm or cold seasons.
- Running air conditioning in the car: when you’re traveling at less than 40 mph, it’s more fuel-efficient to open the windows. Park in the shade, put a shade in the front window of the car and always roll down the windows when getting into a parked car.
Obviously, it may not be possible to eliminate the use of air conditioners entirely, but there are options that use less energy and keep your costs down. Stay cool, save money ---and the environment! From “GREENWorks”-Ideas for a Cleaner Environment, a publication of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 603-271-1370, and the Office of Energy and Planning, 271-2155, Concord, NH-July 2010
Data from the US Census Bureau seems to support that, when times are tougher, homes get smaller. According to this data, the average size of a new single-family home shrank noticeably, particularly in the Northeast, by about 200 sq. ft. to 2,529. While some might think that this is a reaction to the years of Mc-Mansion building which has taken place, the Census Bureau says otherwise: home sizes apparently declined in the recession of the early 1980’s as well (quoted source: David Crowe, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders). According to Philadelphia economist Kevin Gillen, vice president of Econsult Corp., “…that buyers are also having fewer children, so they need less space…” but they are also looking for more energy-efficient homes. The larger number of first time home buyers (who can’t afford a bigger home) has also influenced the trend. 30 years ago, the average home was 1,700 sq. ft. Source - a RISMEDIA posted article, June 26, 2010
News from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services DES Encourages Homeowners to Conserve Water Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is reminding NH residents on the need to conserve water resources. Although New Hampshire is not formally under a drought declaration at this time, the lower than average precipitation in April and May coupled with the current heat spell is reason enough to consider our water use and identify opportunities for conservation and water use efficiency. Although water conservation is something that needs to be practiced year-round, it can be especially important as a proactive measure during dryer than normal conditions. “One of the easiest steps a homeowner can take is to reduce the amount of water used outdoors” said Derek Bennett, Manager of the Water Use and Conservation program. “Discretionary uses, like lawn irrigation can account for the majority of a homes total use during the summer months.” Lawn irrigation often leads to restrictions as water systems confront increasing water demand in the face of limited supply. “Adhering to water use restrictions is important” said Bennett. “Water systems implement restrictions to avoid larger problems down the road, and full cooperation by the water system connections is needed to be successful.” Even without restrictions in place, reducing the amount of water used on landscapes makes sense, both environmentally and financially. Reducing lawn size, ensuring adequate topsoil, and choosing drought tolerant grass mixes are good first steps. If irrigation is needed to supplement rainfall, the typical lawn requires less than an inch of water per week (irrigation and rainfall combined). DES has prepared a series of guidance documents that assist homeowners with reducing water use both inside and outside of the home. Please visit: http://m1e.net/c?82384231-x/oG7sFTAlAGk%405492898-EKfpihNIDuck6 for a complete list of water efficiency fact sheets. This message brought to you by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302.
Come enjoy your views and privacy, yet still be only 1.25 miles to town. Wonderful sunsets from this open concept cape with tons of storage. Visit www.231BeechHill.com for more photos and details.
Wondering how the real estate market is doing these days? Using data in our MLS, it appears that sales have nudged up from 2009, based on data from 8 towns –Bradford, New London, Newbury, Sunapee, Sutton, Springfield, Warner, Wilmot. From Jan. to July 1, 2009, a total of 85 homes sold with a 90% list to sell ratio, and an average of 194 days on market. In 2010, same time frame, 109 homes sold with a 92% list to sell ratio and an average of 212 days on market. Looking at the big picture, in these 8 towns, a total of 219 homes sold in 2009. Currently there are 431 houses for sale. With supply exceeding demand, this will most likely
put downward pressure on home prices.
Home sales will continue to be influenced by economic factors such as the unemployment rate and the stock market. Obviously no one has a crystal ball to really predict what the future market will look like. However, NHAR President Monika McGillicuddy is optimistic that the low interest rates, relatively low prices, and substantial inventory will continue to lead towards a gradual improvement of the real estate market.
Donna Forest, Broker Associate
Start building your lakefront home and family memories on crystal clear Lake Sunapee, the 5th largest lake in New Hampshire with 70 miles of shoreline. This 3.2 acre parcel offers 103 ft. of shorefront with shallow, sandy bottom at the shore. Come enjoy all that the Lake Sunapee Region has to offer.
Lovely antique cape with 4 acres of open land, another 17 acres of forest, plus a 6 stall horse barn and 1,800 ft. of Blackwater River frontage. Visit www.67PancakeRd.com for more photos and details.
What Sellers Should Know About Home Trends in 2010 In today’s economic climate, practicality and price are the driving factors influencing consumers’ decisions on home building and buying. Here are a few of the top trends in 2010, according to the National Home Builders Assoc.(NAHB).
- Smaller homes. Consumers are buying homes with less square footage, though they still want the open concept floor plan.
- Energy efficient appliances and efficient HVAC systems.
- More natural light.
- Separate laundry room.
- Eat-in, partially separated kitchen.
Home buyers are also looking for walk-in closets, great rooms, insulated front doors, low-E windows, 9’ ceilings, programmable thermostats and separate tub/shower in master bath. Why should you as a seller care about this? Simply put, if you want to sell your house, you need to make your house as appealing as possible to the largest number of buyers. Give buyers what they want instead of what you think is fine. Incorporating as many of these desired features into your house wherever affordable and practical will maximize buyer appeal and help get a quicker sale. Give me a call if you would like the full report from the NAHB on consumer preferences! Donna Forest, Broker Associate 603-526-4116; donna@donnaforest.com www.donnaforest.com
Before getting started, it’s a good idea to hire a professional remodeler for a workable plan and better results, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). A professional has the expertise and skills to assist the consumer and help to keep the budget in check. Here are five tips for planning a successful home remodel that you can enjoy for many years to come. 1. Compile a list of ideas and draft a budget for the work. Prioritize your wish list: Maybe you don’t have the budget for your dream remodel, but professional remodelers can maximize your dollars by doing the work in phases, suggesting budget-friendly products and materials and implementing creative design solutions. 2. Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project. Start by searching NAHB’s Directory of Professional Remodelers at www.nahb.org/remodel. You’ll get a list of nearby remodelers to contact. Asking friends and neighbors for names of qualified remodelers will also help you find a match with someone who can handle your project and would be comfortable for you to work with. 3. Check the references and background of the remodeler. After you start speaking with remodelers and find one or two who match your project’s needs, be sure to conduct some background research. Remodelers who are members of professional organizations tend to be more reliable, better educated and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends. 4. Agree on a contract. Talk over the details of the home remodeling project and begin reviewing the contract. You’ll want to check the remodelers’ insurance coverage, ask about any warranties on their work, know who is responsible for obtaining any building permits and understand the process for making any change orders after the contract is signed. Make sure that you and your remodeler see eye to eye before you sign on the dotted line. 5. Take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits. If your remodel includes replacing windows or doors, adding insulation, installing new roofing, upgrading heating or air-conditioning units, updating the water heater or installing energy generating products (such as solar panels, heat pumps or wind turbines) then you can take advantage of federal energy efficiency tax credits through 2010 that will help defray costs and maximize your remodeling budget while reducing home energy bills. Source: RISMEDIA 3/12/10